NEWCASTLE UNITED defender David Edgar is edging closer to full fitness after undergoing a summer hernia operation.

The Canada Under-20 captain’s return to full training was one of the plus points on Kevin Keegan’s first day of pre-season training as numbers were low for the first session of the summer at the club’s Benton HQ.

Keegan handed the young defender a run in the team at the end of last season, with the starlet appearing in games against Reading and West Ham.

Edgar said: “I’m looking forward to the pre-season programme.

“I should be back to full fitness soon after my hernia op.

“It’s good to be back, and after last season you want to be involved in the first team, week-in, week-out.

“The gaffer gave me my chance last season and it’s great to be around him.”

Edgar had surgery at the end of the campaign before recovering with his family in his native Canada.

The Kitchener-born player is in with a real shout of being called up for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Jamaica at Toronto FC’s BMO Field.

But the game is sandwiched between the opener at Manchester United on August 16 and the first home game against Bolton Wanderers.

Edgar – who burst on to the scene in January 2007, scoring a long-range strike against Man U at Gallowgate – was contacted by the Canadians, who notified him that he was under consideration for the World Cup qualifiers.

He said: “I have been on the bench for them for the last two seasons.

“But I feel that I have what it takes and will have to take my chance.”